Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
Asia Pac J Public Health. 2011 Jan;23(1):24-33. doi: 10.1177/1010539510390781.
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the sources of food and dietary patterns of Tongan adolescents (n = 2084) and their perceptions of sociocultural influences. The study incorporated anthropometric measurements, a behavioral survey, and qualitative interviews. More adolescent Tongan females (82.5%) than males (74.3%) reported sourcing morning tea and/or lunch (females 81.9%, males 72.6%) from school canteens or nearby food outlets. More females than males reported consuming obesity-promoting foods such as packaged snack foods (females 38.2%, males 21.3%), chocolates (females 24.7%, males 15.0%), and soft drinks (females 55.3%, males 50.4%). Food purchased for consumption at schools was predominantly energy dense and nutrient poor. Ensuring that students have access to foods of high nutritional quality sourced from school or home, and restricting access to local food outlets that supply unhealthy products would improve the nutrition status of adolescents in Tonga. Furthermore, it is important that obesity prevention interventions are informed by culture-specific influences to optimize uptake of healthy diets.
本混合方法研究旨在调查汤加青少年（n=2084）的食物来源和饮食模式及其对社会文化影响的看法。该研究纳入了人体测量学测量、行为调查和定性访谈。与男性（74.3%）相比，更多的少女（82.5%）报告说从学校食堂或附近的食品店购买早茶和/或午餐（女生 81.9%，男生 72.6%）。与男性相比，更多的女性报告食用促进肥胖的食物，如包装零食（女性 38.2%，男性 21.3%）、巧克力（女性 24.7%，男性 15.0%）和软饮料（女性 55.3%，男性 50.4%）。为在学校食用而购买的食物主要是能量密集且营养差。确保学生能够获得来自学校或家庭的营养丰富的食物，并限制供应不健康产品的当地食品店的进入，这将改善汤加青少年的营养状况。此外，重要的是，肥胖预防干预措施应考虑到特定文化的影响，以优化健康饮食的接受度。
